Pick Me Up! 18-Mar-2021

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to care for people. With dreams of being a nurse, I was always on hand to look after a family member when they were sick. I knew very early on what I wanted to do with my life and career, and I’d do anything I could to get there. So, when the time came, I enrolled on a BTEC Health and Social Care course. As a two-year course, it taught me everything I needed. It was practical and relevant. It even provided the opportunity to undertake some work experience. There are so many areas to health and social care and the course gave me the chance to explore different roles. I absolutely loved my time at college and the course gave me so…

Get ready for the spring clean WHAT A GREAT IDEA Love home cooked food but don’t have the time, ingredients, or skills to create your favourite dishes by yourself? Introducing GRUBie – the new platform that connects home cooks with hungry customers in their area who want a delicious, home cooked, authentic meal. Everyone knows that nothing quite hits the spot like home cooked food made with the freshest ingredients and that oh so special ingredient, love. Celebrating the diversity of the different cultures in the UK today, GRUBie Home Cooks will be drawn from a whole host of different cuisines and dishes including Italian pizza and pasta, Sri Lankan flavours, vegan cooking at its best, Mauritian & Caribbean fusion, and a taste of Nigeria, to name a few. All GRUBie…

I don’t think my daughter Alex – and new auntie to Oscar – has quite found her maternal side. Paula Johnson If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Pottering around the house, suddenly the phone rang. ‘Hi, it’s the school,’ the receptionist said in March 2019. ‘There’s a bug going around,’ she informed me. My twins Ben and Jack, then 11, were always running around with the other kids, so I hoped they wouldn’t get it. ‘Yeah, a few people have been throwing up,’ Ben said at the dinner table that evening. ‘Well, let me know if either of you start to feel unwell,’ I told them. ‘You need to be well enough for your SATS!’ Neither of the boys seemed too bothered and ran upstairs to their bedroom after dinner to go on the PlayStation. That was them, always together – thick as thieves. Although they looked the same and had similar interests, Ben was the more…

Heading to the front door, my precious pup followed me. ‘I’ll see you later Chico,’ I smiled, patting him on the head. Chico is our Yorkshire Terrier, and he is always scurrying around me. However, as I was heading to the hair salon, he couldn’t come with me. Sitting in the chair, I was ready for a few hours of TLC. ‘So, what are we thinking?’ the hairdresser asked. ‘I want to go blonde,’ I explained excitedly, staring at my dull hair in the mirror. I’ve always dyed my hair by myself at home, but knowing how difficult it is to go from brown to blonde, I decided to leave it up to a professional. ‘OK, I’ll get the bleach ready,’ she replied. On 9 February 2018, I had booked…

Be a winner! This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Their Eco range is made from 100% recycled household plastic, is sustainably sourced and made in the UK. The contemporary styled Eco sink side set, includes a bowl with a scratch resistant finish, durable that is easy to clean and a caddy to store utility essentials. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Sparkling surfaces Once I’ve cleaned my oven, I always shine and buff using baby oil so no smears are left. Lisa Adams, West Midlands Perfect cuppa Get rid of any horrible brown tea stains in your mugs with washing up liquid and a metal scourer, it works perfectly every time without fail. Rose Janes, Monmouth Interior designer…